Whitfield - A better ventilated stove back panel. :-)

Hello

The Whitfield Quest I acquired had no back panel but many of the OEM panels did not have good ventilation.
So here is something that can be put on without to much mess or fuss.
I picked up a sheet metal panel at home depot and just cut it to fit.
See here
MD Building Products 36 in. x 36 in. Union Jack Aluminum in Silver 57208 at The Home Depot - Mobile

Here is how.
1. Use newspaper for a template
2. Trace and cut
3. Drill screw holes
4. Paint and install

Pic 1 - No Back Panel
Pic 2 - After cutting newspaper to overal size, tape on stove and trace vents and AC plug holes
Pic 3 - Use grease pencil to trace holes on newspaper
Pic 4 - Then tape on metal sheet and use black magic marker to trace holes on metal
Pic 5 - Cut metal with sheet metal sheers
Pic 6 - Use wire cutters on small holes and cuts in sheet metal
Pic 7 - Hammer metal flat when done with a rubber hammer or mallet
Pic 8 - Drill out mounting holes

 

Just a few more pics

Pic 9 - Use #8 Self tappers with hex head to check for fit.
Pic 10 - new back panel
Pic 11 - Spray 2 coats of hi temp paint that is the same color as stove. (Charcoal color in this case)
Pic 12 - New panel all done! Nice pattern and good ventilation!

 

That stuff is handy. At my previous house we had a slider and during summer it would be open, with just the screen door closed to let in the breeze. One of the cats started using the screening to open and close the door. If we locked the screen so it wouldn't slide, he would pick at the screening - obviously resulting in holes the bugs could get thru.

So, we bought two sheets of that exact same stuff you used for the stove backing and installed it on either side of the screen door. Still let in air, but cats couldn't put holes in it. Win-win.